Real Madrid Aims for Clear Lead Against Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid is poised to establish an eight-point lead over their rivals, Barcelona, this Sunday. Barcelona will not be in action until later in the evening when they face Celta Vigo. Under the management of Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos have made a remarkable start to the season, winning 10 of their 11 league matches, highlighted by their El Clasico victory last month.

In a tense match at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid secured a 2-1 win over Barcelona, thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold made his return to the squad, featuring on the bench during the narrow victory. He recently made a brief appearance in the Champions League, playing late in the game at Anfield.

Alonso confirmed that Alexander-Arnold is fit to start against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon. If selected, this would mark Alexander-Arnold’s third league start of the season, following a hamstring injury sustained against Marseille in September. He had to exit that match early, with Dani Carvajal—currently injured—and Federico Valverde stepping in at right-back during his absence.

When questioned about Alexander-Arnold’s readiness to start, Alonso stated, “Yes, [Trent] is ready; he has been training for several weeks. Tomorrow, you’ll know if he starts or not. Given the circumstances, [Valverde] has performed well in that role and is always ready to assist the team.”

Real Madrid’s defeat to Liverpool earlier this week marked their third significant loss under Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti during the summer. Earlier this year, they experienced a 4-0 defeat to PSG at the Club World Cup, with their only league loss being a 5-2 setback against Atletico Madrid.

Alexis Mac Allister’s goal on the hour mark was pivotal in Liverpool’s victory at Anfield. In response to statistics indicating that Real Madrid covered less ground than Liverpool, Alonso remarked, “Context is key. We have experienced various types of games. It is essential to evaluate the game in its entirety rather than relying on a single metric. We have analyzed and discussed the match, and now our focus is on Vallecas. We aim for consistent performance, recognizing that not every game is alike. I have no complaints about my players’ attitude.”

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the fixture against Rayo Vallecano, Alonso addressed remarks made by former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, who suggested that coaching the club involves more about managing egos than tactics. Alonso responded, “Our dressing room is filled with exceptional players. We are embarking on a new project, and I am very pleased with the progress we are making.”

Real Madrid will look to secure a victory against Rayo Vallecano this Sunday as they strive for their 37th La Liga title. However, the challenge may be formidable, as they have struggled at Rayo in recent matches, failing to win their last three encounters, with their last two visits resulting in draws. Last season, the teams played an exciting 3-3 draw, with Valverde, Bellingham, and Rodrygo all finding the back of the net.